InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco

08/17/08

Only if you get a great deal.....

by goodfellaNW at Citysearch

I got a pretty good deal ($147 off Priceline), and for $147, I would probably stay again, though I would hope to get someplace else.

Mediocre hotel. I've booked on Priceline many-a-times, and have been treated as though I was a full service guest. I usually use Priceline as a way to "test" out hotels, and most places understand this. However, the Mark Hopkins treats you as though they are doing you a favor for giving you such a great deal. The hotel was not that booked and we got a room on the 3rd floor, overlooking air ducts. To their credit, they did fulfill our king, non-smoking room... so this was not that big of a deal. I do bring this up however because I read many other Priceline reviews for this hotel where people got the same floor / view. Coincidence? No.

The hotel nickel and dimes you on EVERYTHING. $12.95 for Internet? Okay-fine. 2 laptops? Pay twice. WHAT? I have never paid twice for hooking up two laptops in one room. MAYBE get charged twice, but they always remove the second charge. Not at the Mark Hopkins. $25.90 / per day for two laptops, 3 days = $77.70. Ridiculous. Their reasoning? It pulls a different IP each time. B.S.

Care to use the Business Center with a couple new iMacs? Get ready to fork out $10 for 20 minutes. Only need to print your boarding pass which takes 2 minutes? $10. Fax? You pay. Print? You pay.

Hotel itself is nice. Nice entrance, nice lobby, nice rooms. Not $400/night nice, but for $147 in SF, it's not bad. It is on top of Nob Hill, so get ready to fork out $5 for a cab ride from Union Square (+ tip) or $5 for the cable car (get the $18 3-day muni pass), or walk, as I did.

All in all, don't book this place directly. If you happen to get it off Hotwire or Priceline, be happy with the price. Just know you will get an air duct view and will be nickel and dimed for everything.

Need Quick internet access? Go across the street to the Fairmont Cafe. Get a coffee, use the free wi-fi.

• Pros: Good view, if you get it. Clean, nice area.
• Cons: Everything else.

02/17/08

Beautiful and Powerful on top of Nob Hill!

by jessicalovestom at Citysearch

This is such an empowering building to pull up to! You tend to imagine the players of past days and feel this classic elegance transcend upon you. The service was impeccable, from the cleaners to the room service, I was not disappointed! My room was just stunning, the decor was again, classic, and the views were simply priceless. The menu for room service offered many delicious choices. Think Lobster Bisque with champagne in the afternoon, Mark Hopkins version of Eggs Benedict swapped ham for crabcakes and avocado. Late night menu and bar service to the room is also key. The Top of The Mark was where I enjoyed a super healthy breakfast buffet; lox and tomatos, cottage cheese, fruit yogurt parfait, gourmet cheese, fresh berries, an egg white omelette with crimini mushrooms is what set me for the day. Now this is a place I could call home. As for parking, they have a garage which will valet your vehicle at a moments notice. Anyone staying in Nob Hill should most definately know that space in this city is VERY limited and sometimes you just have to compromise with paying a due for the convenience that this hotel does offer.

• Pros: great location, historical, architechtural gem, grand.

03/09/07

Awful Hotel in Nob Hill

by geoffcalifornia7 at Citysearch

This hotel has too much hype! The rooms were tiny and the service was horrendous! You're better off staying at a Holiday Inn!

• Pros: Location
• Cons: Bad Service, Bad Amenities, Bad food in restaurant